Surgery – Means for introducing or removing material from body for... – Gas application
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-18
2001-01-30
Kennedy, Sharon (Department: 3763)
Surgery
Means for introducing or removing material from body for...
Gas application
C604S305000, C604S307000, C604S290000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06179804
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to medical devices, and, more particularly, to medical devices for the promotion of healing wounds, burns and infections.
Use of oxygen to promote healing of wounds, burns, and infections has been documented. Nielsen discloses a device for treatment of wounds by exposure to jets in U.S. Pat. No. 4,608,041. A series of inlet and outlet openings ventilate a space between the device and the wound area. The device is fixed over the area of the wound by means of plaster or tape.
Loori discloses a collapsible topical hyperbaric apparatus in U.S. Pat. No. 5,154,697. A gas inlet tube introduces oxygen to a shell covering the treated area. An adhesive sealing ring on the bottom of the unit secures the device to the affected area in conjunction with a belt.
These and other devices, while providing a chamber to apply oxygen to a wound, are difficult to apply, remove and re-apply. The previous devices are sometimes ineffective in particularly difficult-to-heal wounds.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore an object of the present invention is to provide a device which supplies treatment gas to a wound, burn or infection which is easily and quickly removable and replaceable over the affected area.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a device which supplies treatment gas to a wound which promotes circulatory action in order to promote healing.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a treatment device and method of use, which provides effective treatment of wounds not previously achieved with treatment gas application.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a device which supplies treatment gas to a wound which is simple to use and low in cost.
Surprisingly, it has been found that simultaneous application of a treatment gas such as oxygen to a wound while simultaneously providing electrical stimulus to the area between the blood supply and the wound promotes especially fast healing. The method also promotes healing of wound areas not responsive to other forms of treatment. Wounds, burns and infections which have been unresponsive to treatment gas application alone are responsive when subjected to both treatment gas and electrical stimulation in adjacent areas. This is especially the case with electrical stimulation in the area between the blood supply and the wound. Timed applications of treatment gas spaced over periods of ambient conditions further promotes healing in difficult cases. The apparatus of the present invention comprises a treatment gas applicator including a treatment gas supply portion, a treatment gas containment portion, and a gas vent portion. In its preferred embodiment, the apparatus also comprises at least two electrodes attached to the treatment gas applicator to provide electrical stimulation of nearby areas in order to promote blood supply to the wound area. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes a seal gasket which remains attached to the surrounding area of the wound and allows quick and simple removal and replacement of the treatment gas containment portion of the apparatus. The apparatus is secure without the use of straps and eternal securing devices. The seal gasket is easily removable from the affected area without pain or damage to the wound area upon completion of use of the apparatus.
One embodiment of the present invention the treatment gas containment portion is an inflatable dome attached to the surrounding area of the wound by a seal gasket. In the preferred embodiments, the inflatable dome is made of a flexible membrane to reduce pressure on the wound area if bumped by an object, and to reduce storage space when not in use. The lower seal surface of the seal gasket comprises an age-degradable adhesive. The age-degradable adhesive adheres and seals the seal gasket to the surrounding skin.
The upper seal surface of the seal gasket comprises a releasable adhesive such as a pressure-sensitive adhesive. The releasable adhesive adheres and seals the upper seal surface of the seal gasket to a lower seal surface of the inflatable dome.
The age-degradable adhesive is more substantial and permanent as compared to the re-sealable adhesive. As a result, a user easily removes and replaces the inflatable dome on the seal gasket, and the seal gasket remains in place on the surrounding skin portion for all or a significant portion of the healing time of the wound. This allows removal and replacement of the inflatable dome for treatment periods as determined by a physician. It also allows easy removal for cleaning and dressing of the wound. The residence time of the seal gasket on the surrounding skin portion is typically several days and, in some cases five or ten days depending on the age-degradable adhesive qualities and environmental conditions. Upon end of life of the age-degradable adhesive, the user easily removes the seal gasket without pain or damage to the surrounding skin portion.
In a preferred embodiment, the treatment gas supply portion includes a supply hose and nozzle, supplying a treatment gas such as oxygen to the interior portion of the inflatable dome. One or more vents in the membrane forming the inflatable dome provide a predetermined restriction of venting of exhaust gasses from the interior portion. The restricted venting maintains inflation of the dome when a predetermined flow of oxygen is supplied to the dome. The vents also allow removal of off-gasses from the wound. A mesh or fabric layer over the membrane acts as a filter layer and allows escape of the vented exhaust gas while preventing entrance of foreign material into the interior portion. A sterile fabric or mesh material, optionally bonded on the inner surface of the inflatable dome, prevents contact of the flexible membrane with the wound.
In the preferred embodiments, at least one pair of electrodes attached to the apparatus provide stimulation of blood supply to the wound area. In one embodiment, a pair of stimulator electrode patches are attached to the oxygen supply hose by insulated electrical conductors. The conductors terminate at electrical plugs attached to the hose. The electrode attachment method provides a reminder to the user to attach the electrodes, and the location and length of the electrode conductors provides guidance to proper positioning of the electrodes relative to the wound.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2998817 (1961-09-01), Armstrong
patent: 3089492 (1963-05-01), Owens
patent: 3467081 (1969-09-01), Glass
patent: 3610238 (1971-10-01), Rich, Jr.
patent: 3920006 (1975-11-01), Lapidus
patent: 4182329 (1980-01-01), Smit et al.
patent: 4224941 (1980-09-01), Stivala
patent: 4328799 (1982-05-01), LoPiano
patent: 4474571 (1984-10-01), Lasley
patent: 4480638 (1984-11-01), Schmid
patent: 4509513 (1985-04-01), Lasley
patent: 4608041 (1986-08-01), Nielsen
patent: 4685447 (1987-08-01), Iversen et al.
patent: 4778446 (1988-10-01), Jensen
patent: 4801291 (1989-01-01), Loori
patent: 4969881 (1990-11-01), Viesturs
patent: 5154697 (1992-10-01), Loori
patent: 5662625 (1997-09-01), Westwood
Beusse James H.
Blyveis Deborah
Holland & Knight LLP
Kennedy Sharon
Maire David G.
LandOfFree
Treatment apparatus for wounds does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Treatment apparatus for wounds, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Treatment apparatus for wounds will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2520685